UNITE has rejected claims made by APP-SOBEYAA over its withdrawal from the Coalition Mediation Committee (CMC) talks, insisting that the decision followed the rejection of a proposal to guarantee the runner-up in the flagbearer contest the Vice-Presidential position.

In a statement issued on August 8, UNITE said it respected APP-SOBEYAA’s decision to withdraw but would not allow what it described as “false and misleading” claims to go unchallenged.

UNITE said APP-SOBEYAA proposed that whoever finished second in the flagbearer vote should automatically become the coalition’s Vice-President, with the arrangement made legally binding.

According to UNITE, the proposal was rejected by the coalition’s General Body because no position should be allocated to a particular party before a fair and transparent selection process.

UNITE said APP-SOBEYAA’s representative subsequently left the meeting, arguing that this, rather than any position taken by UNITE, was the basis for the party’s withdrawal.

The party also denied ever telling APP-SOBEYAA that it would insist on Talib Ahmed Bensouda becoming the coalition’s flagbearer.

“UNITE’s consistent position has been, and remains, that we will follow whoever wins the flagbearer contest, fairly conducted,” the statement said.

UNITE said when Essa Faal was asked during the meeting who had communicated the alleged position to him, he identified a third party who was not part of UNITE’s negotiating team and had no authority to speak on its behalf.

The party said the claim was therefore based on information allegedly relayed through another individual and was not an official UNITE position.

UNITE also said it was invited into the coalition talks 13 weeks ago by Malick Camara, who delivered an invitation letter to Mayor Bensouda.

It said it had since participated consistently and in good faith, including raising concerns about perceived biases through the appropriate channels while working with other parties to build consensus.

UNITE maintained that the allegations against it were unfounded and said it remained committed to building a credible coalition based on fairness, transparency and mutual respect.

The party urged APP-SOBEYAA and other political parties committed to the coalition effort to remain engaged and raise concerns based on facts rather than what it described as rumours.